IndexAbstractIntroductionLast LeafFour millionThe Gift of the MagiTransients in ArcadiaConclusionAbstractStories play an important role in our lives, they motivate us to reason, they recognize to find out where we are we can put it into relationship with us in our lives. “In America the short story has occupied a prominent, even preeminent, place in the American literary tradition for almost two centuries. For Americans, the story had become a national art form” (Scofield; 2006). As a modern American master of short stories, O`Henry is universally known throughout the world. In most of his stories he manages to present the social life of 20th century America. It strongly represents sharp criticism and satire towards the government, American state authors, the economic and social system in society. “The Gift of the Magi” attempts to unmask social criticism in history by analyzing its plots and characteristics. It aims to expose the corruption of the state apparatus and the miserable life of the lower classes, so that it can help readers gain a better knowledge of that society in America and the failures in the development of capitalism and the living conditions of the poor . people caused by failures. Struggle, rejection and misery have shadowed Henry's life throughout, but his determination and hard work have influenced William O'Henry to those heights where he has a position all his own, in the world of literary legends of his time. One of his masterpiece stories is “The Last Leaf”. It represents the profound association between emotions and the human mind, where joy and sorrow combine in such an extraordinary way that forces us to reconsider the work of the author's famous artist. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay IntroductionWilliam Sydney Porter, known as O` Henry, was born in 1862 in North Carolina, America. He lost his mother at the age of three. For this reason his life began very early. He was one of the most widely read American short story writers, his pen having a strong voice to demonstrate the romance, tragedy, and miseries of life. He is not only an American writer, but also the Globe writer. His stories always remain at the center of critical comments. Among these critics, no one gives their attention to different types of love stories and the unique characteristics of each type of love stories. Early critics always focus their attention on the literary work itself, such as writing skill, structure, plot, characters, etc., neglecting the characteristics reflected through these stories. The O` Henry era is just the period of America's transition from capitalism to imperialism, during which the American economy enjoys rapid growth. There are a number of stories about O`Henry that have been passed down almost beautifully from study to study, always taken literally but never investigated. Some of these stories play an important role in the legend that develops around O`Henry in the years following his death. His short stories can be classified into different types, especially love stories, thief stories, etc. If these types of tales are compared to beautiful diamonds in a crown, love stories are definitely the brightest. It may be that some of these questions about O'Henry's career may never be definitively answered. In this sense they would resemble the numerous questions about his activity, which remain a source of suppositions. Last Leaf The story "Last Leaf" revolves around this Washington Square Street, where on top of a three-story buildingthere lived two close friends, who met and who from the first meeting found a close similarity in taste, friendliness, choices and nature were "Sue" and "Johnsy". They both painted and had many aspirations and wanted to create a name for themselves in the years to come through their handmade paintings. Sue is a caring and strong girl and helps Johnsy fight his illness while Johnsy is weak, sentimental and shown as a weak character. There is another very important character: the story of the Doctor, who is very busy and professional. Inspirations play an important role in our life and if there is good support in time of need we can easily pursue them. O`Henry has beautifully tried to portray such a great connection between "life and death" in such a fabulous way that it speaks of the artistic work of a legend. The story also highlights the passion of an artist when the fire of his heart stimulates him to achieve what he has been waiting for for centuries. The nuances of life have been beautifully narrated by O` Henry in the story "The Last Leaf". The story fascinates its readers and has created a climax till the end and throughout the story O` Henry has spread his amazing artistry in waving a fabulous thread that connects all the characters together and the emotional sequence of hope and despair, care and concern, role and responsibility, is beautifully illustrated in Sue.Four Million. The title of O` Henry's breakthrough book, the 1906 collection The Four Million, became something of a trademark. For one thing, it let readers know what kind of collection a new O`Henry book was. In the years of greatest fame after O'Henry's Four Million, he published two collections a year of various genres: tales of the West, tales of swindlers and criminals, and stories set in the South and other regions, as well as other stories set in New York. Even during his lifetime, some of O'Henry's most famous New York tales were scattered in non-New York books. In contrast, O` Henry's most famous Southern story. As Langford notes, “All of O`Henry's collections had been assembled rather haphazardly.” It's clear that O`Henry had the material to put together another strong New York collection if he wanted to. The Four Million mark was also a sign of quality as O'Henry's New York stories were widely considered his best. Another connotation of the Four Million brand had to do with a thematic element of all New York stories. The Gift of the Magi Of all love stories, pure love stories are the best and best known. People all over the world read the Gift of the Magi, Henry's masterpieces of pure love stories. In a way this story serves as irony but it also indicates that the sacrifices people are willing to make for those who and Jim are a poor young couple who simply possess positions of value. Della's long beautiful hair and Jim's hair gold watch that belonged to his father. This is a typical O`Henry pure love story. Despite the difficult economic situation, the two young people are rich in the spiritual world as both are willing to sacrifice their treasures for the happiness of their lover. The people who read the story are touched by their pure and selfless love. While the whole world is becoming realistic and materialistic, a simple and true love still remains in the young poor couple. These indicate that from the late stage of the 19th century to the early stage of the 20th century, many people live a penniless life, but they were happier than those wealthy people because they owned the most valuable fortune in the world. On the other hand, O` Henry's love stories are strongly influenced by his experience of love.